This month marks the start of a new position for the Lennox Area Ambulance Department, beginning just this week, Alan Perry starts his duties as Director of Ambulance. As Director, Perry is responsible for daily operation of the ambulance department, which includes conducting paramedic duties, responding to dispatcher instructions, assuring emergency vehicles are in proper working conditions at all times, the emergency vehicles are stocked and cleaned for each emergency call,and handle communications professionally.
Perry has served on the Lennox Ambulance as a part-time medic for the past six months and was working full-time as a paramedic at Rosebud. He also works part-time at the Canton Ambulance. He has lived in Lennox for the past two and half years with his wife, Jessica and their three children—Krysten, a freshman, and second grade twins Adah and Micah. Perry said he spends his spare time chasing after his kids and working on home renovations. Perry also said he is active in his church and also spends time with his father who’s health is failing.
Perry began his medical career with EMT classes in 2009. He was self-employed at that time he explained and was attending nursing school. Perry said he switched to medic instead because he liked the idea of not being tied to a building.
And clearly, a position with the Lennox Area Ambulance provides that. The ambulance department provides services not only in the town of Lennox but to Worthing, rural Chancellor and rural Tea. Perry estimates the Lennox Area Ambulance answers an average of 320 calls a year. He said, “It varies; it can be two or three days without a call and then three in one day.”
The Lennox Area Ambulance currently employs six part time medics, who cover the weekday hours, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Ambulance is also served by 18 volunteers. Volunteers cover nights and weekends. Perry said many are from out of town, and will even sleep at the Ambulance garage when they are on call.
Perry said, “Volunteers with Emergency Medical Services in general are becoming more of a struggle, with the required education, shifts and time. A lot of small towns struggle with this.”
Perry said for himself he finds the job rewarding.
“A lot of time when we see people, we see them at their worst point, and being able to help them is rewarding. Whether a car accident or stroke, or they’ve fallen — we help them out,” he said.
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